South Coast eats: Batemans Bay to Pambula
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Long lunches by the river, tiki cocktails at sunset, freshly baked bread you’ll dream about for weeks – the far South Coast knows how to feed you well.
From farm-to-plate oyster experiences to Parisian-inspired wine bars, we’ve mapped out the must-visit spots between Moruya and Pambula. Grab your crew, work up an appetite, and get ready to eat your way down the coast.
The River (Moruya)
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Celebrating the best of the coastline and the countryside, local produce meets waterfront dining at The River.
Located on the southern bank of the peaceful Moruya River (with its northerly views to the mountains of the Deua National Park) and under the helm of chef Peter Compton, this South Coast dining experience is elevated by a five-course seafood degustation.
16b Church Street, Moruya | therivermoruya.com.au
The Quarterdeck (Narooma)
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Wagonga rock oysters, with pineapple and pepper mignonette, tuna tostada with lime mayo, avocado, and salsa macha and beignets served with dulce de leche and soft serve. Hungry yet?
A long-standing institution, Quarterdeck has been known by locals as a place to catch up and celebrate for almost 20 years. Now under hospitality group Merivale’s umbrella, it serves food with a Mexican and South American influence – go for the share style menu and stay for the tiki-style cocktails.
13 Riverside Drive Narooma | merivale.com
The Oyster Farmers Daughter (Narooma)
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Serving up fresher-than-fresh Coxon’s oysters from a boutique trailer on the shores of the Wagonga Inlet, The Oyster Farmers Daughter also offers fresh fish and fries, prawn buckets, fresh lobster, juices, batch coffee and more.
Also fully licensed – and with a creative cocktail menu – the waterfront location is ideal to sit back and enjoy an afternoon socialising with friends and family.
279 Riverview Road, North Narooma | theoysterfarmersdaughter.com.au
Honorbread (Bermagui)
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There’s nothing like freshly baked bread, and Honorbread is known for being the place to stop to load up on pastries, bread, biscuits, cakes and more. Baking everything fresh with local, seasonal ingredients, they cover both sweet and savoury delights – from bagels to ginger scones.
With a commitment to reducing their environmental impact and an aim to help build a cleaner, more resilient food system for Bermagui, each item you buy has a positive impact on the local community. Not that you need an excuse…
8 Bunga Street, Bermagui | honorbread.com
Elsewhere (Bermagui)
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A relaxed, intimate wine bar and deli, Elsewhere is all about carefully curated share plates. With a small, seasonal menu that’s constantly changing, the concept is to invite people to unwind, try something new and feel at home.
With grazing plates available from 2 pm, and small plates, large plates and pizza from 5 pm, why not make a leisurely afternoon of it?
3/28 Lamont Street, Bermagui | elsewhere-bermagui.com.au
Bar Superette (Merimbula)
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A little wine bar with Parisian vibes, Bar Superette might have a tiny kitchen, but it has a mighty menu.
As you sip on natural wine, nibble on options like ham hock and cheddar croquettes, classic steak frites, smoky grilled on a hibachi, and a calamari fritti roll with yuzu aioli.
16/20 Market Street, Merimbula | superettesuperette.com
Sunny’s Kiosk (Merimbula)
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A little neighbourhood kiosk tucked away on the top lake; Sunny’s offers uninterrupted water views and a menu that spans both day and night. Known as a flavourful café by day and a wine bar at night during the summer, they focus on using seasonal and local produce.
For breakfast, expect options like avo on sourdough with stracciatella, miso chilli butter, pickled onion and soy pepitas, while at night, share plates like potato scallop with smoked trout rillette and horseradish and smoked Jervis Bay mussels with leek and konbu burre blanc take over the menu.
Only taking walk-ins, be fast to make sure you get a seat.
68 Lakewood Drive, Merimbula | sunnyskiosk.com.au
Dulcie’s Cottage (Merimbula)
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An unassuming weatherboard cottage on the outside, inside you’ll find one of the coolest South Coast bars from the team who arguably started the speakeasy trend with their Shady Pines Saloon in Sydney.
Dulcie’s Cottage serves cocktails and craft beers from behind a long bar surrounded by taxidermy and bric-a-brac, the food menu features burgers, Merimbula oysters and chicken wings.
60 Main Street, Merimbula | dulcies.com.au
Banksia Restaurant (Pambula)
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Enjoy fine dining in the ambience of The Old Pambula Bank – a heritage-listed building and local landmark – from Huw and Renee Jones (formerly of award-winning Merimbula restaurant, Zanzibar Café).
With a weekly changing set menu that’s quintessential country dining, examples of dishes include twice-baked herb and goats curd soufflé, beef fat fries and vanilla creme brûlée with apricot coulis and ricciarelli.
Editor’s note: Banksia Restaurant will be closed from Saturday 13 December until Friday 9 January.
22 Quondola Street, Pambula | banksiarestaurant.com.au
Wheeler’s Seafood Restaurant (Pambula)
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Wheelers boasts contemporary Australian cuisine featuring a fusion of flavours and the freshest local seafood. Serving Wheeler’s own Merimbula Lake oysters, the farm-to-plate experience comes full circle within the architecture of reclaimed wharf timber, high ceilings and stunning coastal bush surrounds.
What sounds better than enjoying a dozen of their finest along with a glass of sparkling at the Oyster Bar, with distant views over the lake? And if you’re looking for something a bit more casual, The Takeaway Shop is a full-service fish and chippery, complete with local seafood and farm-to-plate oysters to take home.
162 Arthur Kaine Drive, Pambula | wheelersoysters.com.au
Feature image: Sunny’s Kiosk. Via Facebook.
